There is no doubt that COVID-19 caused a big loss to US businesses and organizations. By the latest data, more than 100,000 small companies have closed due to economic constraints. Many businesses have been forced to temporarily shut down or lay off their employees due to a significant reduction in revenue. However, the country started to reopen in phases. Although this is a good sign for the businesses that have been suffering from this pandemic situation, it also comes with a number of health and safety challenges.
For businesses with more than 100 employees. It’s important to automatically track time and attendance of all employees even during the pandemic. While 50-60% of US workforce is currently working remotely, the major part of remote workers will soon return to on-site workplaces and buildings.
With this in mind touch-free and contactless time and attendance systems are now essential for preventing the virus spread and efficient workforce management.
The issue with employee time clocks
In the past employees could clock in and clock out using a fingerprint time clock or biometric readers. Now when business owners need to comply with social distance rules, the health of employees became the highest priority since traditional punch clocks can easily help spread the contamination and put people’s lives in danger.
Solution
Covid-19 has changed the way employees clock in and clock out at work. Today businesses can choose the best contactless clocking option to fit their needs and stay compliant to new work regulations and restrictions. Now fingerprints or palm biological clock systems can be replaced with hands-free proximity card readers, facial recognitions systems or web based, mobile or text clock-in software solutions.
The Benefits of Contactless Time Tracking Systems
· Facial recognition: Easy to install and use, workers are required to stand in front of the small device that has a size of a smartphone. Facial recognition software scans the face and sends data into Time and Attendance system directly. Optionally, a Thermal Fever Screening can be used to measure the temperature. Conveniently, this type of device will recognize the face with a mask.
· Proximity Card: proximity cards or swipe cards rely on RFID technology (Radio Frequency Identification) to track time and attendance safely and accurately. Each employee gets a personal card for use with the existing biometric clock system.
The mobile device: cloud-based time and attendance software allows workers to clock in and out online via mobile devices. Thus, these systems allow employees to use their smart phones to clock in and out, avoiding the need for a time clock. Another alternative way is to use SMS clock in system. This type of mobile clocking is the best choice for remote employees in multiple locations or buildings or for the workers in the field. Combined with scheduling tools that show real time staff availability will result in a cost-effective remote workforce management.
